We have a packed agenda - Heaven

The newly elected president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Wilford 'Billy' Heaven, promised that at the end of his first 100 days in office he will report on the progress and the plans in place.

Speaking at the 76th annual presentation awards banquet of the Business House Cricket Board on Saturday night at Tropical Elegance, Cunningham Avenue, Heaven, on this his first official engagement since being elected president last Thursday, said his team will advance the local game.

"We have effectively put together a team that will take the game forward. At the end of the first 100 days I will report to you on the progress and the plans we have put in place," he stated.

"We come with a team that comprises different skills set ... including highly qualified professionals, as well as past and present Jamaica and West Indies players.

"I have met with the staff of the JCA to outline our expectations. We have a packed agenda right now... the first board meeting (last night) and then the West Indies Cricket Board," he disclosed.

Continuing, Heaven commended the Business House Board for 76 years of service to cricket.

"The Business House is an intregal part of the rich legacy in Jamaica. You are participating in a game with a rich history and a great tradition," said the noted businessman, who was quick to add that "any name with business (as in Business House) excites me".

"The final of the 100 metres (Olympics) had five places from this little country... but you attract negative attention when you do well," he pointed out.

"This nation is especially blessed by God for a particular purpose ... . As a nation, we are accustomed to impacting the world for good," Lewis added, in reference to Jamaica being one country which stood up and said no to South Africa's former apartheid system.

High Level of Sportsmanship

He noted that over the years "cricket is one sport that has always emphasised gentility and has maintained a high level of sportsmanship. That's one thing I always admired about Brian Lara."

In the presentation of trophy and prizes, Jamalco walked away with three of the four major trophies, having won the Reggae Jammin 50-over league, the T20 competition and the Hermon Spoerri Double Wicket competition, through Pete Salmon and Marcel Parchment.

Continental Baking Company won the Best Dressed Chicken 30-over KO competition, which along with the Reggae Jammin Foods League have been sponsored by Jamaica Broilers for the past 21 years.

Salmon, a former national Under-19 player, walked away with a number of batting and bowling awards, along with national player Horace Miller from Red Stripe and Marcel Parchment, who won the batting and bowling averages, respectively.

The Gleaner Independence Trophy for Sportsman of the Year went to Jamalco's captain Kirk Gordon, while Continental Baking's all-rounder Damion Bryce won the Oscar Hamilton Trophy, and Brian Wright from Sagicor the Abe Alexander Memorial Trophy for the highest score (107) in the Best Dressed KO.

Master of ceremonies was Eddie Bailey, president of the Business House Cricket Board.